The Valley Maple Leafs started 2014 off by earning four points in two games, bringing them that much closer to securing a good playoff spot in the Nova Scotia Jr. Hockey League's Fred Fox Division.

Just four points currently separate the first place team from fourth place in their division. The Leafs are tied for second.

Following the Friday night win at the Hants Exhibition Arena, the Leafs' head coach Josh Dill predicted that determining the final playoff positions will go “right down to the wire.”

On Jan. 10, in Windsor, before a growing fan base, the Leafs defeated the visiting Eastern Shore Junior Mariners by way of a shootout.

The Mariners' Tyler Somers, assisted by Tim Mannette and Dominic Howell, started the scoring off in the first period but Mitch Normore, from David Hayes and Mitchell Singer, was quick to tie it up less than a minute later. Unassisted, Alex Feltmate bested the Mariners' goaltender with 7:49 remaining in the first to put the Leafs up 2-1.

The Leafs' Jonathon Hunson, from Feltmate and Colin Gillis, wasted no time in the third period, tallying the lone marker of the period just 46 seconds in. The game remained tied 3-3. Nothing was settled during the five-minute period of overtime. Mark Swain, Feltmate and Gillis scored during the shootout, with Gillis being credited with the game-winning goal.

Mitch Culley was strong between the pipes for the Leafs, stopping 32 of 35 shots on net during regulation and overtime play. Brandon Dorrington was tagged with the loss.

“I think our top line of Hunson, Gillis and Feltmate played great again,” said Dill following the win. “All of our top four lines are playing great now.”

Earlier in the week, the Leafs edged the division-leading Sackville Blazers 3-2. Goal scorers were Hunson, Feltmate and team captain Craig Anderson. Picking up assists were Gillis (2), Hunson (2), Feltmate and Swain. Culley was also strong in nets, turning away 45 of 47 shots.

“We had a big win the other night and everyone is playing well, starting from goaltending out. If we can keep going, things will look good,” said Dill.

The Leafs have two games on the road before making their way back to Windsor. They take on the Brookfield Elks Tuesday, Jan. 14 and then the Pictou County Scotians Sunday, Jan. 19.

They return to the Hants Exhibition Arena Friday, Jan. 24 to meet their Hants County rivals, the East Hants Penguins. Game time is 7:50 p.m.

“We play some pretty tight games. There's usually a few fights, (it's) hard-hitting, lots of goals,” said Dill, encouraging people to come out to watch the rivalry.

Their last regularly scheduled game of the 2013-14 season is against the Sackville Blazers in Windsor on Jan. 31.